MerryXmasDrSpiller

They sit for a bit, keeping warm. They broke down on the road and Holly is perched between Patrick's legs, keeping warm. He has ben miserable all day and Holly is becoming annoyed at his mood.

P: “This has turned out to be the best Christmas I’ve had for ages...”
H: “You’ve changed your tune!”
P: “I’m not all that bad...” (He offers her the bottle)
H: “No...Your trouble is you don’t like seeing people enjoying themselves...”
P: (Gently) “I wish it were that simple...”
H: “Yeah well...I don’t get it! I mean, why do you have to be so miserable you know, it’s Christmas!”
P: (Sadly) “It’s quite simple really...My mum died on Christmas day...”
H: (Shocked) “Oh...well done Holly...”
P: “Yeah...I was ten. Usually kids that age get up and rush downstairs to see what presents Santa has given them. My mum would ask to come home from hospital for Xmas. I burst into her and dad’s room and she shouted at me...to get out. Mum meant well, she just didn’t want me seeing what a state she was in. Thing is, they couldn’t stop me from listening. I spent most of the morning outside that room. Then the doctor came and they opened the door and me dad said that she was gone. I managed to get a glimpse of her before they bundled me off...and I can remember thinking ‘They’ve got it wrong’...you know...’She’s not dead, she’s...she’s asleep...’ So I dug out all her presents and put them at the end of her bed. I even wished her a Merry Christmas”
H: (Tearfully) “You never told me any of this before...I mean...no wonder you don’t like Christmas...”
P: Especially when it starts in October, I mean all the advertising and countdowns...They thrust it in your face for ten weeks and all I can think about is my Mum and those unopened presents...I’m not trying to make excuses...”
H: (Interrupts) “ No, I know...but I’m sorry...I’m glad you told me...(puts her hand on his face)...It’s nice that you did...”

H: “How’s your thumb, and ankle?” (Holding his hand, she pulls it up to get a better look)
P: “Yeah, I think I’ll live...”
H: “You owe me then?”
P: “Yeah, you just name the time and place...”
H: “Yeah right...What is it you see in me, anyway?”
P: “Honest answer?”
H: “Yeah...”
P: “Loneliness...(She looks at him, surprised)...and for some strange reason, I feel like I can do something about it...”
H: “Well there is no need, I’m not lonely!”
P: “We’re sailing in the same boat Holly...”
H: (Sits forward) “It’s the job!”
P: “We all blame the job. We all put the extra hours and go to the pub to avoid going home...and why do we do that? Cause we know no-one is gonna be there!”
H: “I’m happy that way...”
P: “Are you...? I don’t think so...” (He leans forward to kiss her, and she turns her head)
H: (Shakily) “Anyway, I’m gonna check on the weather!” (She walks out of the barn, not wanting to go back in, and looks flustered.)

Holly returns to the barn, and Patrick is lying down.

H: “You’ll never guess what, I got half a mile down the road and I got a perfect signal on my mobile...So I told them about your ankle and...(Sees him lying down) and their sending and ambulance...(goes over to him and shakes him, concerned)...Patrick!...(He moves slightly and she sighs, bends over and kisses him on the cheek)...Merry Christmas Doctor Spiller...”

END

This is one of my favourite episodes. I was ill at the time, stuck in bed and I needed something to cheer me up, although I ended up crying most of the way through it. I loved it, It was the best Casualty I’d seen!